Fiji’s Mahogany Top in England
Alocally owned timber business will soon be exporting Mahogany to the United Kingdom. Elija Tawakevou Investments owned by Waisake Kativerata of Naisogovau, Dravo, Tailevu had invested about $50,000 to his business including all the paperwork for sending the hardwood samples across for testing.
The company has received its first purchase order and is preparing for its first shipment which would take at least two months to reach the UK.
“The process is very long but with persistence and God’s direction, and the tremendous support from the Ministry of Forestry Fiji, Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited (FHCL) on certification for all its mahogany plantations that we’re able to get where we are today,” said company advisor Mereula Tawakevou.
She added that all mahogany harvesting abided by the Fiji Plantation Grown Mahogany Harvesting Code of Practice.
How the business started:
Mr Kativerata is a former British Army, and his family had lived in the UK for more than 10 years.
He left the army and joined a private security company serving in the Middle East for ten years.
His family now lives in Fiji with Mr Kativerata continues to travel to and from the UK exploring other opportunities.
He met an old Kiwi friend of a logging background who now lives in the UK.
They started a conversation about the timber industry in Fiji especially mahogany and this discussion led to numerous researches.
They found out Fiji was exporting timber to countries including the United States of America but not to the UK.
They then started securing clients who were interested in buying Fiji’s mahogany.
Mr Kativerata then contacted various stakeholders at the Forestry Department in Nasinu who advised him on what needed to be done including the licensing.
He is now attending the Timber Expo at the UK showcasing Fiji’s mahogany samples along with some artifacts to the World.
Sample:
A sample of the product was sent to the United Kingdom which was used by a well-known guitar manufacturer in the UK, Gibson Smith.
Ms Smith made a guitar out of the sample and commented on the good
quality.
He further requested for Fiji’s mahogany to be exported to the UK.
The company is now at its final phase of preparation to make its first shipment.
Company advisor Mereula Tawakevou said it was a new venture for them as a couple.
The company has been working closely with its supply-chain to ensure that mahogany trees are carefully chosen and that it meets the social conditions for workers to meet internationally recognised standards such as the ten principles of the UN Global Compact.
“We’re like the middle-man as we buy the timber locally and then export it to the UK,” Ms Tawakevou said.